– BOETSCH READY TO MEET EXPECTATIONS

by Mitch Gobetz – MMAWeekly.com
Tim Boetsch is looking to extend his winning streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to two when he faces Ultimate Fighter season three alumnus Matt Hamill on April 2.

Exploding onto the scene at UFC 81, Boetsch overwhelmingly obliterated David Heath. Having taken the fight on short notice, he wasted no time impressing with an effecting striking display featuring his Muay Thai skills. The Pennsylvania native took Heath by the head and threw him to ground, dazing him before finishing him with strikes.

Since that fight, there has been a solid buzz around Boetsch and building anticipation for his next fight.

Fans won’t have to wait long as he was called upon to replace the injured Stephan Bonnar to fight Hamill. Without thinking twice, he accepted. MMAWeekly Radio caught up with Boetsch to discuss his feelings about the fight, among other things.

“I’m pumped,” he said. “Training has been going great. Everything has been right on schedule. I think it’s gonna be a good fight.”

While many fans would love to see another headfirst throw into the canvas, Boetsch won’t promise anything. “If I can, I will,” he laughed. “But I can’t make any promises at this point.”

The last time that Boetsch took a fight on short notice, it was only a few days in advance. Fortunately, this fight was given to him two months prior, which was plenty of time for “The Barbarian.”

“Two months for me is plenty of notice. I actually had to take a little time off, because I over trained. I’m right on schedule now.”

Hamill is known for his strong wrestling ability, but Boetsch also considers himself a very good wrestler and sees areas in Hamill’s game that he can exploit. “There are definitely some weak points in his game. He always comes forward,” he explained. “If you have good striking ability and good footwork, that’s definitely something to take advantage of.”

Boetsch is confident in all aspects of his game, regardless of if he gets taken down or not. “I don’t feel I’m that vulnerable, even if he gets the takedown, but I don’t think it’s going to come down to that.”

The best way for Boetsch to put pressure on his opponent is to make him feel uncomfortable in the cage. “I want to make the guy uncomfortable everywhere. Whether it’s pushing the pace of the fight, crowding him, or just doing different techniques that he’s not used to seeing to make him uncomfortable.

“Anytime you can get your opponent out of their comfort zone and thinking they’re going to tire quicker, they’re going to have to think more about what weapons they’re going to use or counter strikes they’re going to do, that’s what my game is,” Boetsch continued. “If I can get in there and push the pace, my cardio is great and I’ll go to the later rounds if I have to, and push the whole time.”

There are a lot of high expectations for Tim Boetsch coming into this fight, but he doesn’t let himself get pressured. “I just want to go out there and do what I’m capable of doing and let everybody see that this Boetsch guy is for real and wants to hurt people in the Octagon.”

Another impressive victory over a tough, well known opponent would be very helpful to the further progression of Boetsch’s career in the UFC.

While he didn’t have a specific finish in mind, Boetsch did offer a prediction. “The only thing I can say is that it will not go to the judges’ decision. I think they can expect to see more of the same things they have seen. I’m planning on coming out there and finishing this fight. I’ll put my best up against his and see who comes out on top.”